Happy 60th Birthday, Grandpa Chatty!

Friday, August 28, 2008 was Grandpa Chatty's 60th Birthday. I've known for weeks that we were going to have a surprise party for him; I learned at 7:45 a.m. what the biggest surprise of them all was! Nate, my brother, flew in from Cleveland to surprise our dad! It was awesome! He called me from his hotel, and I got to play with him all day as we prepared for the party.

Nate even took time to teach Wakko some chef's secrets.Grandpa was pretty surprised by our welcome...but this surprise was the ultimate! Nate!
Every year when we asked Grandpa what he wanted for his Birthday, he answered "black socks". Well, we finally got him some black socks.Grandpa opened our gifts to him in his usual style: perfectly without tearing the paper.
We presented Grandpa Chatty with pages of our favorite things about him, as well as our favorite memories with him. I think they went over well: tears were shed, and everyone got hugs.
After an amazing barbeque featuring salmon burgers, turkey burgers, sirlion steak burgers, and the best array of pico de gallo on earth (thanks, Nate!), we had cake. It took five of us to light all 60 candles.The challenge was set: blowing out 60 candles in one breath...He did it! He blew them all out in one breath; we were all impressed. He was tired.
We seemed to manage fitting a tiny bit more room for cake.Playing basketball in the back yard was loads of fun, and a great way to end the party.
Thank you, Chatty Family for the wonderful party! The only thing that would have made it better would be if Melissa and kids were there too. Their sacrifice to make it possible for Nate to be there was awesome, and deeply appreciated. We wish so much that we could have been together... I suppose it will make the time that we are together that much more precious.

More about our impromptu reunion to come!

Wakko's First Lost Tooth!

Wakko was lucky today! He awoke with his first loose tooth. He was super excited about it, and showed it to everyone who would look.

After dinner (the best ever Caribbean Jerk pizza ala Nate's special recipe), his tooth was the center of Wakko's attention.

Wakko decided it was time for the tooth to go. He asked Uncle Nate, who was happy to help, if he'd pull it. Wakko was super brave, and only said "ow" once: it was as the tooth came out!Yahoo, Wakko!Wakko was going to leave his tooth in a baggie on the kitchen counter so that Kate could see it when she got home, but changed his mind; this was too big a deal to risk having the tooth fairy miss it.

You're so grown up!

Our Own Olympics

Dad had a business trip in Las Vegas on Monday and Tuesday; I've been feeling crummy. We put the two together, and made the best of both: a trip to visit his family in Hurricane, Utah!
We made the trek on Friday night (mere hours after learning of the business trip). We were warmly greeted by Dad's parents, brother, sister-in-law, and a niece. The kids opened their birthday gifts. Needless to say, they were a hit!After enjoying a delicious breakfast of pancakes and peaches, we went to see Dad's sister's cabin in Kolob, Zion National Park. It was amazing and huge!We enjoyed ourselves on the four wheelers, and Dad took a ton of gorgeous pictures. Here are a few samples.Dad and Uncle Tracey taught the boys how to shoot pellet guns and air rifles. They had a blast.
Dot and Cousin Stefani were practically joined at the hip! They played together all day.
We had our own little Olympic events:
board games
four wheelingarchery
hurdles
whacking each other with big q-tipsand eating.We had a great bbq experience, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves... and I have a sweet bruise on my arm to show my passion for my newest favorite sport: archery.

Sunday was spent eating a ton more food and socializing with more of the extended family. It was so nice. We went swimming Sunday night; it was a ball! However, sadness struck! I forgot to bring the camera. Bummer.

Monday, Dad was in Las Vegas working, so I spent the day with my in-laws. I love them so very much, and grew even closer to them this trip. Ella, my mother-in-law, is one of the most talented crafters I've ever met. She taught me a super fun, new to me, simple craft. I spent most of the day Monday (until 1:30 a.m.!) and all day Tuesday sewing, picking prizes, and giggling. Dot even managed to force herself to do crafts: her search and find bag for Kate turned out great! This was Dot's most challenging craft yet, and she actually enjoyed doing it! The kids were thrilled to play with their cousins; they really weren't into doing crafts, but rather loved watching t.v. and playing games all Monday and Tuesday.So, as you can tell, our Olympic sized weekend was a success! Thank you to my friends who were concerned when I was unreachable: now you know why!

P.S.
Melissa, you are amazing! My nose is clear, my breathing is great, and shopping is still the only thing that causes tears. Your love and kindness mean so much! Thank you!!!!!

I Am Thankful

Sometimes life is full of so much joy, that it engulfs you. Sometimes there's so much joy that you feel like you're going to explode. Sometimes that joy is so overpowering that you can't help but smile constantly.

Today is not one of those days.

However, I am thankful. I am thankful for friends who are patient, friends who are kind. I am thankful for quiet moments of reflection. I am thankful for praise that I do not deserve, but is so sweet. I am thankful for being married to the most amazing person I've ever met; I love him and am thankful beyond any expression for my Troy. I am thankful for his ability to love without question, see without guile, listen without judgment, and care without thought of reward. I am thankful for a family who cares enough to call, to listen, to help. I am thankful for my children who pick up where I leave off, and love me unconditionally. You are the sunshine in my life.

I am thankful for angels who walks among us: Amy H. I don't know what I'd do without you. Thank you for dinner, for calls and texts, for stepping in for me, and for caring. I am thankful for your friendship. Melissa, thank you for being such a great support. I love you and cherish each conversation we have. You help me more than I could ever repay. Debbie, thank you for helping me look forward to school and see my children for their potential. Thank you for letting me be who I am and not thinking less of me when I'm at my worst. Mandee, thank you for lifting me high enough to see outside the darkness. Thank you for helping me see things for what they are, and looking towards what they could be. You give me too much credit for things I've done; you are too kind. I love you, my friends, and feel blessed beyond measure. Thank you. Thank you for being there for me.

South Pacific Girls Night Reminder!

Hey, Ladies! We're going to go to Sandy City's production of "South Pacific" Tuesday, August 19, 2008. Please meet us at 7:30 p.m. at the concessions stand by the main ticket counter. Tickets are $14. For more information, give me a call or check out this site. Hope to see you there!
Yahoo, Jason!

Thanks, Uncle Nate, Aunt Melissa, and Family-- From Wakko

Dear Uncle Nate, Aunt Melissa, Sydney, Macey, and Porter,

Thank you for the really cool ant farm! I am so excited about it-- I think it's really cool that it's got gel in it.

I love you and miss you. I want to play with you guys really soon.

Love you,
Wakko

Why Did The Chicken Cross The Road?

My Dad sent this to me: I thought it was worth posting. Enjoy!
Why did the chicken cross the road?


BARACK OBAMA:
The chicken crossed the road because it was time for a CHANGE! The chicken wanted CHANGE!

JOHN MC CAIN:
My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road.

HILLARY CLINTON:
When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure – right from Day One! -- that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.......

DR. PHIL:
The problem we have here is that this chicken won 't realize that he must first deal with the problem on 'THIS' side of the road before it goes after the problem on the 'OTHER SIDE' of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his 'CURRENT' problems before adding 'NEW' problems.

OPRAH:
Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.

GEORGE W. BUSH:
We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.

COLIN POWELL:
Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road..

ANDERSON COOPER - CNN:
We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.

JOHN KERRY:
Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it
NANCY GRACE:
That chicken crossed the road because he's GUILTY! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.

PAT BUCHANAN:
To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.

MARTHA STEWART:
No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.

DR SEUSS:
Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY:
To die in the rain. Alone.

GRANDPA:
In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.

BARBARA WALTERS:
Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heartwarming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its lifelong dream of crossing the road.

ARISTOTLE:
It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.

JOHN LENNON:
Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.

BILL GATES:
I have just released eChicken2007, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your check book. Internet Explorer is an integral part of the Chicken. This new platform is much more stable and will never cra...#@&&^(C% ........reboot.

ALBERT EINSTEIN:
Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?

BILL CLINTON:
I did not cross the road with THAT chicken. What is your definition of chicken?

AL GORE:
I invented the chicken!

COLONEL SANDERS:
Did I miss one?

DICK CHENEY:
Where's my gun?

AL SHARPTON:
Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.

Twelve Dancing Princesses

Last night, my darling kids and I went to the Off Broadway Theater last night to watch "The Twelve Dancing Princesses". My friend, Gerry Graves, was Howard the Shoemaker; he was hilarious as always.
It was kinda nostalgic for me: I've been in the show twice. The first time I performed in "12DP" was the original cast. It was a great experience for me, and one that helped shape my love for musical theater. The second time I was a freshly-graduated-from-high-school-18 year old... on the wings of the closing of "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers" (oh, how I love that show!). Gerry directed "12DP" and was the Shoemaker. My dad was the King, my mom was my Lady in Waiting: I was Princess February. Oh, the memories!

Any way, the show was cute. My kids had a blast, and I fell in love with my kids over and over again. I love that they love theater! Next stop on my list: "South Pacific" in Sandy!